PR No. 124 PAKISTAN AND TURKEY TO EXPAND TIES IN DEFENCE Islamabad: 20 Sept. 2016

General Salih Zeki Colak, Commander of the Turkish Land Forces, called on Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Defence in his office, Islamabad today. Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif appreciated the exemplary and historic brotherly relations between Pakistan and Turkey. He expressed Pakistan’s strong desire to deepen, broaden and strengthen Pak-Turkey relations in the field of defence.

Both the leaders discussed issue of mutual interest to include extremism, terrorism and flow of refugees across the borders. They also shared the resolve to co-operate with each other in order to effectively face there challenges. Defence Minister also apprised the Turkish General on Pakistan’s success in operate Zarb-e-Azb and National Action Plan.

Minister valued the cooperation from the Turkish side in the provision of Trainer-37 aircraft to Pakistan on gratis basis. Moreover, Minister offered sale of Super Mushak aircraft with the Turkish specifications.

In the meeting Minister expressed satisfaction over the successful holding of the 11thRound of high level Military Dialogue Group meeting in Ankara in Oct-2015. He thanked the Turkish Navy for their participation in the exercise, AMAN-13. Turkish Navy was also invited to participate in AMAN-17 exercise scheduled in February 2017.

Minister appreciated the democratic initiatives of President Recep Tayyib ERDOGAN, Turkish role for crushing uprising on its borders, its role in Syria and the Turkish participation in trilateral process on Afghanistan as Pakistan desires for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. He pointed out that both the countries cooperate closely at the regional and multinational fora through the platforms of UN, OIC & ECO.

Minister invited the Turkish delegation for IDEAS-2016 to be held at Karachi from 22- 25 Nov-2016. He extended thanks for the generous support of Turkey to Pakistan during National calamities.

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